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Lon Kruger begins his Extreme Makeover at OU

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the final installment in a seven part series on new University of Oklahoma basketball coach Lon Kruger.

University of Oklahoma basketball coach Lon Kruger talks with Michael Elliott, a Sigma Phi Epsilon member, as he has lunch with fraternity and sorority members on Thursday, April 28, 2011, in Norman. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

When he retires as a college basketball coach, Lon Kruger might have a second career as host of Extreme Makeover reality shows.

Kruger certainly has the resume.

Similar to resuscitation projects at Kansas State, Florida, Illinois and UNLV, Kruger is being asked to restore an Oklahoma program that's coming off back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1967.

“Lon is at his best at what he does, revitalizing programs that need to win the right way,” said UNLV senior associate athletic director D.J. Allen. “We don't live in a world that always celebrates that type of leadership and success. His story is quite amazing when you look deep into his career.

“He's been successful four out of five times. Now it's time for him to take on program No. 6. It's not sexy, but wherever Lon Kruger goes, his program wins. And he does it without any question marks how it's done. That's quite a legacy.”

Kruger inherits a program that went 27-36 in the two years since Blake Griffin left for the NBA. Convinced a change was needed, OU athletic director Joe Castiglione fired Jeff Capel four days after the 2010-11 season.

Three weeks later, Kruger was introduced as OU's coach at McCasland Field House, the arena he played in for Kansas State when he was a two-time Big Eight Player of the Year.

“Knowing what Lon is about, and the people he surrounds himself with, there's no question he'll get them back where they could win (big),” said Bill Koss, who has been involved with Florida basketball for 40 years. “It won't be a quick fix. But he'll do it the right way. And he'll turn it around. He always has.”

The Sooners also are dealing with NCAA issues. But Kruger has faced similar circumstances at his last three college jobs.

Last year, the NCAA began investigating whether one of Capel's assistants was involved with an alleged illegal loan to former OU center Tiny Gallon. The case has stalled. Gallon has refused to speak with NCAA officials. But it's hampered recruiting.

“This is a critical time for OU because of what they've gone through,” said Kansas City Chiefs play-by-play voice Mitch Holthus, who also works Big 12 basketball games. “That (investigation) put the Sooners in a tough spot.

“Lon and his staff will bring in high-caliber players. You'll see year-to-year improvement. It might take a little while, as good as Big 12 basketball is. But OU will be back on the (national) landscape soon.”

This might be Kruger's most daunting challenge, playing in a revamped 10-team league of perennial NCAA Tournament-caliber programs that will play a round-robin, 18-game league schedule.

Kansas has won seven consecutive Big 12 titles, including a national title. Texas is a perennial power. Missouri and Kansas State have undergone successful revivals.